Fan control for electronic display assemblies

ABSTRACT

A display assembly with condensation control includes an electronic display and airflow pathway located within the housing. At least one sensor is located along said airflow pathway. A controller in electronic communication determines a local dewpoint and an internal temperature for the display assembly based, at least in part, on data received from the at least one sensor, calculates a dewpoint spread between the dewpoint temperature and the internal temperature, and initiates modified operations where said dewpoint spread is less than a predetermined threshold.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.17/694,261 filed Mar. 14, 2022, which claims the benefit of U.S.provisional application Ser. No. 63/161,147 filed Mar. 15, 2021, andalso claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No.63/239,273 filed Aug. 31, 2021, the disclosures of each of the foregoingare hereby incorporated by reference as if fully restated herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Exemplary embodiments relate generally to systems and methods forcontrolling condensation in electronic display assemblies.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The use of electronic displays, such as for advertising, in theout-of-home market has increased in popularity over recent years. Beinglocated outdoors, such electronic displays are frequently exposed toharsh conditions, including, but not limited to, solar loading, extremetemperatures, precipitation, moisture, contaminants, vandalism,wildlife, and the like. To protect the electronic displays andassociated sensitive components from such harsh conditions, it is knownto place the electronic displays in ruggedized housings. Such housingsmay fully or partially seal the electronic displays and other associatedsensitive components.

It is known to thermally manage such electronic display assemblies usingambient air and/or circulating gas. Such ambient air may pass throughone or more open loop airflow pathways within the assembly, and maythermally interact with circulating gas in one or more closed loopairflow pathways within the assembly where such closed loop pathways areused.

Operating such display assemblies in certain environments may result inthe introduction of ambient air, such as into the one or more open loopairflow pathways, having a sufficiently different temperature relativeto circulating gas and/or components of the display assembly as toresult in the formation of condensation inside such display assemblies.For example, without limitation, the introduction of relatively coolambient air into the display assembly may result in a sufficiently lowdewpoint within the display assembly that water vapor in the ambient airand/or circulating gas within the assembly condenses into liquid, whichmay cause fogging and/or undesirable moisture exposure to sensitiveelectronic components. More specifically, for example, withoutlimitation, the introduction of relatively cool ambient air intoair-to-air heat exchangers contained within the display assembly maycause surfaces of these heat exchangers to drop below the dewpoint ofthe relative humidity contained within the fully or partially sealedenclosure resulting in condensation. Additionally, any inside surface ofthe fully or partially sealed enclosure may reach, or even drop below,the outside ambient temperature (e.g., when ice/snow is piled on top ofa housing of the assembly), resulting in cold spots within the assemblywhose temperature is below the internal dewpoint which may cause theformation of condensation.

Furthermore, owners, operators, and/or manufacturers of such electronicdisplay assemblies are increasingly undertaking power efficiencyefforts. Such power efficiency efforts may include, for example, withoutlimitation, decreasing illumination levels for lighting elements of theelectronic display assemblies at night (e.g., partially or to zero),which may result in the electronic display assemblies becomingrelatively cool, increasing the likelihood of condensation by loweringthe dewpoint inside the display assembly. This may be particularlyprevalent when combined with the ingestion of relatively cool ambientair.

What is needed are systems and methods for controlling condensation inelectronic display assemblies. Systems and methods for controllingcondensation in electronic display assemblies are provided.

In general, gaskets utilized in such electronic display assemblies maybe sufficient to entirely or substantially keep out liquids, butsometimes such gaskets are not gas-tight or entirely gas-tight.Therefore, moisture can sometimes permeate through the gasket, such asin the form of water vapor, and enter an otherwise closed loop airflowpathway. Such closed loop airflow pathways may still be consideredsealed, as such closed loop airflow pathways are kept entirely orsubstantially free from solid or liquid particulate such as, but notlimited to, dust, debris, precipitation, combinations thereof, or thelike. In general, when the interior of an otherwise fully or partiallysealed enclosure (e.g., closed loop airflow pathway) is warmer than theoutdoor environment, moisture may escape the otherwise fully orpartially sealed enclosure, such as, but not limited to, by way ofgaseous particles in the air which may permeate the liquid-tight, butnot necessarily vapor-tight, gaskets. More specifically, for example,without limitation, as heat is added to the circulating gas within theclosed loop airflow pathways, the circulating gas may expand and some ofthat expanding air may be forced through the gasket or otherwise to alocation outside of the closed loop airflow pathway, and take moisturein the circulating gas with it. The converse may also be true.

The relative humidity within an electronic display assembly may bedetermined, such as, but not limited to, by way of one or more sensorsconfigured to measure humidity and/or temperature. The relative humiditymay be determined at the one or more sensors or at a separatecontroller. The same or different temperature measures may be used inconjunction with the relative humidity to determine the dewpoint of airinside the electronic display assembly. The measurements from multiplesensors may be used and/or multiple readings may be aggregated invarious ways.

A dewpoint spread may be calculated between the temperature of ambientair and the calculated dewpoint. For example, without limitation, thetemperature of the ambient air, such as for calculating the dewpointand/or dewpoint spread, may be determined as the lesser of one or moretemperature readings of ambient air at said intake or along said portionof said one or more open loop airflow pathways of the assembly or aninternet-retrieved local ambient air temperature.

Where the dewpoint spread is determined to be less than 0° C., it may bedetermined with a high degree of confidence that condensation isoccurring. Where the dewpoint spread is determined to be greater than 0°C., but less than a predetermined threshold “X”, which may be in therange of +2 to +5° C. in exemplary embodiments, it may be determinedthat condensation may be occurring. Where the dewpoint spread isdetermined to be greater than X° C., it may be determined with a highdegree of confidence that condensation will not occur. Modifiedoperations may be undertaken where it is determined that condensation isoccurring or may be occurring according to the above-described criteria,but not when condensation is not occurring according to theabove-described criteria. Determining which of the interior surfaces iscoldest, and thus potentially having condensation, may be difficult todetermine. Thus, modified operations may be conservatively undertakenfor both where condensation is occurring and where condensation may beoccurring according to the above-described criteria.

In exemplary embodiments, without limitation, where the dewpoint spreadis greater than or equal to X° C., which is variable but in exemplaryembodiments may be 2° C., between 2° C.-5° C., 4° C., or 5° C. forexample, without limitation, a determination may be made that nocondensation is likely. Where the dewpoint spread is greater than Y° C.,which is variable but in exemplary embodiments may be 0° C., between 0°C.-2° C., or 2° C. for example, without limitation, and less than X° C.,a determination may be made that condensation may or may not be present.Where the dewpoint spread is less than or equal to Y° C., adetermination may be made that condensation is likely or definitelypresent within the electronic display assembly. In exemplaryembodiments, the controller may be configured to operate the assemblynormally (e.g., without any modified operations to minimize, reduce,control, and/or eliminate condensation formation within the electronicdisplay assembly) where the determination is made that no condensationis likely, and may initiate certain modified operations where thedetermination is made that condensation may or may not be present and/orthat condensation is likely present. Such modified operations may beconfigured to minimize, reduce, control, and/or eliminate condensationformation within the electronic display assembly.

Alternatively, or additionally, a single dewpoint spread threshold maybe utilized such that the units are programmed to operate in either anormal operating mode or a condensation mitigation mode. For example,without limitation, where the dewpoint spread is greater than “X” theunit may operate normally, but where the dewpoint spread is less than“X” the unit may operate in condensation mitigation mode. When equal to“X” the unit may be configured to either operate in the normal mode orthe condensation mitigation mode. In exemplary embodiments, thethreshold for activating condensation mitigation mode may be differentfrom deactivating condensation mitigation mode. For example, thethreshold for transitioning from normal operating mode to condensationmitigation mode may be X-A (e.g., 3° C. by way of non-limiting example)while the threshold for transitioning from condensation mitigation modeto normal operating mode may be X+B (e.g., 6° C. by way of non-limitingexample). An electronic notification may be generated and transmittedwhere the dewpoint spread reaches a predetermined threshold below “X”(e.g., X-C, such as 0° C. by way of non-limiting example).

In other exemplary embodiments, where a determination is made thatcondensation may or may not be present and/or that condensation islikely present (e.g., dewpoint spread less than X° C., or less than orequal to X° C.), a determination may be made as to whether certainsafety thresholds are met and/or exceeded. If the safety thresholds aremet and/or exceeded, the electronic display assembly may be configuredto operate normally (e.g., without modified, condensation controloperations). In this way, the operational safety of the display assemblyand/or its components may be prioritized. If the safety thresholds arenot met and/or exceeded, the electronic display assembly may operateunder the modified operating parameters configured to minimize, control,reduce, and/or eliminate condensation within the electronic displayassembly.

In yet other exemplary embodiments, modified operations may beundertaken based on a dewpoint threshold and buffer, with or without thesecondary check for safety thresholds. For example, without limitation,a threshold dewpoint spread of A° C. and a buffer of B° C. may be set.Where the dewpoint spread exceeds A° C. by more than B° C., modifiedoperations may be undertaken. In exemplary embodiments, a check toensure that the safety thresholds are not met or exceeded may be firstundertaken. A° C. and/or B° C. may each be independent variables and maybe, for example, without limitations, each 2° C., A=4° C. and B=2° C.,A=5° C. and B=1-4° C., combinations thereof, or the like.

The safety thresholds may comprise any temperature or other condition ofany components. For example, without limitation, the safety thresholdsmay be designed to prevent overheating of sensitive, critical, and/orexpensive electronic components. Modified operations, as explained morefully below, may reduce or eliminate ambient air introduction and/orpromote heat generation within the unit. The normal operations maypermit the ingestion of increased or unlimited amounts of ambient air,which may be prioritized over condensation where the safety thresholdsare met and/or exceeded. Where such safety thresholds are not met and/orexceeded, condensation control may be prioritized.

Alternatively, or additionally, the safety thresholds may not berequired.

Modified operations may include, for example, without limitation,increasing heat in the electronic display assembly, such as, but notlimited to, by changing, such as by reducing, fan speed, operating time,combinations thereof, or the like and/or increasing power to lightingelements, restricting the ability to turn off or reduce power to thelighting elements, combination thereof, or the like. Modified operationsmay reduce, prevent, control, and/or eliminate the formation ofcondensation within the display assembly by decreasing the ingestion ofoutside (ambient) air, which may be relatively cold (e.g., turningambient air fans off and/or minimizing their operation) and/orincreasing power to lighting elements (e.g., turning on, increasingpower, preventing dimming).

For non-emissive displays, such as LCDs, overall image luminance may bekept low as desired (e.g., no noticeable increase in visible imageluminance) by turning backlight power up while concurrently turningimage gray scale down, for example, without limitation. For non-emissiveor emissive displays, power consumption may alternatively, oradditionally, be increased by turning drive current to maximum whileturning pulse width modulation (PWM) control to minimum levels requiredto maintain desired perceptive brightness, for example, withoutlimitation. In exemplary embodiments, modified operations may beperformed once internal and/or ambient temperatures, dewpoint, relativehumidity, and/or dewpoint spread reach a certain threshold, range,combination thereof, or the like and/or where certain safety thresholdsare not yet met and/or exceeded.

Such condensation controls may be particularly useful where theelectronic display assembly is powered down or otherwise placed in areduced power mode and/or when ambient temperatures drop, one or both ofwhich may occur during nighttime hours, winter hours, and/or under powerefficiency efforts to name a few examples. In exemplary embodiments,without limitation, the systems and methods shown and/or describedherein may accomplish condensation control without the need for aseparate and/or dedicated heater, thereby reducing power consumptionand/or noise.

The various criteria described herein, including, but not limited to,the dewpoint spread ranges and safety thresholds, are merely exemplaryand are not intended to be limiting. Other criteria and/or thresholdsmay be utilized. For example, without limitation, other data points,dewpoint spread criteria, operation modifications, temperatures,thresholds, safety thresholds, and/or ranges, may be utilized.

Alternatively, or additionally, it may be desirable to operate aircirculation devices within the display assembly to control temperatureswithin the display assembly and/or provide condensation control. Inexemplary embodiments, the air circulation devices may comprise fanunits, each of which may comprise one or more fans, and may beassociated with one or more sensors, such as temperature sensors. Zonesmay be virtually defined within the display assemblies, each of whichmay include one or more of the air circulation devices and one or moreof the associated sensors.

Operational ranges for the air circulation devices may be established.Such operational ranges may be programmed at, or stored at, thecontroller(s). Such operational ranges may be stored in association withone or more of the air circulation devices. Desired operating ranges maybe established for the sensors. Such desired operating ranges may beprogrammed at, or stored at, the controller(s). Such desired operatingranges may be stored in association with one or more of the sensors.

Operational ranges for the air circulation devices and/or desiredoperating ranges for the sensors may be specific to the date, time,ambient conditions, combinations thereof, or the like. Operationalranges for the air circulation devices and/or desired operating rangesfor the sensors may be specific to the zone, air circulation device,and/or sensor or for the whole display assembly.

Readings from the sensors may be taken periodically, continuously,sporadically, or the like. Operation of some or all of the aircirculation devices may be controlled by the highest sensor readingrelative to the associated desired operating range. Such control may beperformed on a zone-by-zone basis or for the entire display assembly.

Where a maximum operating temperature is reached or exceeded at one ormore of the sensors, speed or other operating conditions (e.g., numberof active fans, volumetric flow rate, power supplied, etc.) of the aircirculation devices may be increased, such as by the controller(s),until a maximum operational level is reached. If the maximum operatingtemperature is reached or exceeded at one or more of the sensors, powerto the backlight may be reduced until temperatures fall below themaximum operating temperatures. Such reduction may be made in aninversely proportional fashion to how far the temperature has exceededthe maximum operating temperature.

Sensor readings may be continuously or periodically retaken andoperations adjusted accordingly.

One or more gaskets or other sealing devices for separating an open loopand/or ambient environment from a closed loop or at least partiallysealed area may be provided between a portion of the housing for theunit (e.g., a framework or chassis) and a cover glass so as to reduce orprevent thermal transfer through the portion of the housing for theunit, which may comprise metal.

Further features and advantages of the systems and methods disclosedherein, as well as the structure and operation of various aspects of thepresent disclosure, are described in detail below with reference to theaccompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In addition to the features mentioned above, other aspects of thepresent invention will be readily apparent from the followingdescriptions of the drawings and exemplary embodiments, wherein likereference numerals across the several views refer to identical orequivalent features, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary display assembly inaccordance with the present invention and indicating section lines A-Aand B-B;

FIG. 2A is a detailed side sectional view of the display assembly ofFIG. 1 taken along section line A-A and indicating detail A;

FIG. 2B is a detailed perspective view of detail A of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C is a detailed side sectional view of another exemplaryembodiment of the display assembly of FIG. 1 taken along section lineA-A;

FIG. 3 is a simplified top sectional view of the display assembly ofFIG. 1 taken along section line B-B;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart with exemplary logic for operating the electronicdisplay assembly of FIGS. 1-3 in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a flow chart with other exemplary logic for operating theelectronic display assembly of FIGS. 1-3 in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart with other exemplary logic for operating theelectronic display assembly of FIGS. 1-3 in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an exemplary operations programming interfacefor the electronic display assemblies of FIGS. 1-5 ;

FIG. 6B is a plan view of another exemplary operations programminginterface for the electronic display assemblies of FIGS. 1-5 ;

FIG. 7A is a flow chart with other exemplary logic for operating theelectronic display assembly of FIGS. 1-6 in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 7B is a flow chart with other exemplary logic for operating theelectronic display assembly of FIGS. 1-7A in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 7C is a flow chart with other exemplary logic for operating theelectronic display assembly of FIGS. 1-6 in accordance with the presentinvention; and

FIG. 8 is a flow chat with exemplary logic for operating the electronicdisplay assembly of FIGS. 1-7B in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT(S)

Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described indetail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the followingdescription, specific details such as detailed configurations andcomponents are merely provided to assist the overall understanding ofthese embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, it should beapparent to those skilled in the art that various changes andmodifications of the embodiments described herein can be made withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Inaddition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions areomitted for clarity and conciseness.

Embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference toillustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) ofthe invention. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrationsas a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances,are to be expected. Thus, embodiments of the invention should not beconstrued as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustratedherein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example,from manufacturing.

FIG. 1 through FIG. 3 illustrate an exemplary electronic displayassembly 10. The assembly 10 may comprise a housing 18. The assembly 10may comprise a cover panel 12. The cover panel 12 may comprise a singlelayer or multiple layers 12A, 12B bonded together, such as by way of oneor more optical adhesives. The cover panel 12 may be located forward of,and may be spaced apart from, an electronic display layer 14. Theelectronic display layer 14 may comprise a layer of liquid crystals(e.g., an LCD), a plasma display, OLED display, LED display,combinations thereof, or the like. The cover panel 12 may form a forwardportion of the housing 18. The housing 18 may substantially enclose theelectronic display layer 14.

The cover panel 12 may be transparent or translucent such that imagesdisplayed at the electronic display layer 14 are visible to an intendedviewer through the cover panel 12. The cover panel 12 may be configuredto protect the electronic display layer 14 and/or other components ofthe electronic display assembly 10. The cover panel 12 may,alternatively, or additionally, be configured to enhance optics of theimages displayed at the electronic display layer 14. The cover panel 12and/or electronic display layer 14 may comprise one or more polarizers,anti-reflective films, surface treatments, combinations thereof, or thelike. A front air gap 13 may be located rearward of the cover panel 12and forward of the electronic display layer 14. The front air gap 13 mayform part of a closed loop airflow pathway for circulating gas 58.

An illumination device 16 may be provided adjacent to at least a portionof the electronic display layer 14. The illumination device 16 maycomprise a number of lighting elements 38. The lighting elements 38 maycomprise light emitting diodes (LEDs), though other kinds or types oflighting elements 38 may be utilized. The illumination device 16 may beconfigured to provide illumination to the electronic display layer 14when powered. For example, without limitation, the illumination device16 may be configured to provide direct backlight for the electronicdisplay layer 14 and may be positioned rearward of the electronicdisplay layer 14. Alternatively, or additionally, the illuminationdevice 16 may be configured to provide edge lighting for the electronicdisplay layer 14 and may be positioned around some or all of a perimeterof the electronic display layer 14, one or more light guides, reflectiveelements, combinations thereof, or the like. In exemplary embodiments,the illumination device 16 may comprise a number of the lightingelements 38 provided on one or more tiles, mounted to a substrate (e.g.,printed circuit board), combinations thereof, or the like. Any number,arrangement, and/or type of the lighting elements 38 may be used.

In other exemplary embodiments, the electronic display layer 14 may bean emissive display and/or may be configured to illuminate without theneed for a separate and/or dedicated illumination device 16. Examples ofsuch embodiments include, without limitation, OLED displays, plasmadisplays, LED displays, combinations thereof, or the like.

The assembly 10 may comprise one or more open loop heat exchangers(hereinafter also “OL HX”) 20. The OL HX 20 may be configured toaccommodate ambient air. The OL HX 20 may be provided rearward of theillumination device 16. In exemplary embodiments, the OL HX 20 mayextend along some or all of the illumination device 16 so as to absorbsome or all of the heat generated by the illumination device 16 when inuse. The OL HX 20 may extend directly along the illumination device 16or may be spaced apart therefrom. For example, without limitation, oneor more thermally conductive layers, air gaps, and/or spacers may bepositioned between the illumination structure and the OL HX 20.

The OL HX 20 may comprise one or more layers. In exemplary embodiments,some or all of the layers of the OL HX 20 may comprise a corrugatedstructure 26. The corrugated structure 26 may comprise a zigzag patternwhich extends between two or more panels or layers of the OL HX 20,thereby forming a number of channels or pathways within the OL HX 20.Alternatively, or additionally, the OL HX 20 may comprise a number oftubes (e.g., square, rectangular, round, combinations thereof, or thelike) defining passageways or channels for ambient air.

In exemplary embodiments, the OL HX 20 may be in fluid communicationwith one or more intakes and exhausts provided in the housing 18. Suchintakes and exhausts may comprise one or more apertures in the housing18 which permit the intake and exhaust, respectively, of ambient airfrom the assembly 10.

One or more air circulation devices 48, such as, but not limited to,fans may be provided within or otherwise in fluid communication with theOL HX 20 and/or other portions of one or more open loop airflow pathwayswithin the electronic display assembly 10 to cause the ingestion ofambient air into the assembly 10, flow through the one or more open loopairflow pathways, and exhaustion from the assembly 10 when operated.Such air circulation devices 48 may be in electronic communication withone or more controller(s) 52. The air circulation devices 48 maycomprise, for example, without limitation, axial fans, centrifugal fans,combinations thereof, or the like. Any number and/or type of aircirculation devices 48 at any one or number of locations within thedisplay assembly 10 may be utilized.

The assembly 10 may comprise one or more open loop/closed loop heatexchangers (hereinafter also “OL/CL HX”) 22. The OL/CL HX 22 may beprovided rearward of the illumination device 16. The OL/CL HX 22 maycomprise multiple layers. In exemplary embodiments, each of the layersmay be configured to accommodate one of: only ambient air as part of oneor more of the open loop airflow pathways in the assembly 10, orcirculating gas as part of one or more closed loop airflow pathways inthe assembly 10. The layers may be arranged, for example, withoutlimitation, vertically or horizontally adjacent one another. Forexample, without limitation, the layers may alternate between beingconfigured to accommodate ambient air and circulating gas. In exemplaryembodiments, a first portion of the layers may form part of the same ora different open loop airflow pathway as the OL HX 20 and a secondportion of the layers may form part of the same or a different closedloop airflow pathway as the front air gap 13. The OL/CL HX 22 may be influid communication with the same or different intake(s) and exhaust(s)as the OL HX 20. The OL/CL HX 22 may be in fluid communication with thefront air gap 13, though such is not required.

In exemplary embodiments, the electronic display assembly 10 maycomprise multiple electronic display layers 14. In such embodiments, theelectronic display assembly 10 may comprise multiple cover panels 12,illumination structures 16, OL HX 20, OL/CL HX 22, combinations thereof,or the like. However, at least the OL/CL HX 22 may be common to multipleelectronic display layers 14 in some embodiments. For example, withoutlimitation, the electronic display assembly 10 may comprise a first andsecond electronic display layer 14 provided in a back-to-backarrangement with front air gaps 13 fluidly connected to a common OL/CLHX 22 but separate OL HXs 20 for each electronic display layer 14. Suchelectronic display layers 14 may be provided in the same or differenthousings 18.

In exemplary embodiments, the electronic display layer 14, theillumination device 16, and OL HX 20 may be provided within an accessassembly 44 along with one or more components, such as, but not limitedto, electronic circuits, air circulation devices 48, sensors 54,controller(s) 52, power supplies, wiring, processors, video players,cameras, microphones, combinations thereof, and the like. The accessassembly 44 may comprise a housing, framework, or one or more structuralmembers, which may be attached to the housing 18 by way of one or moremovement devices 46, such as, but not limited to, hinges, springs,levers, pistons, combinations thereof, or the like configured tofacilitate movement of the access assembly 44 between an opened positionwhere the access assembly 44 is moved away from the housing 18 and aclosed position where the access panel 44 is adjacent the housing 18.One or more sealing devices 42, such as, but not limited to, gaskets,may be provided between the housing 18 and the access assembly 44 topartially or completely seal when said access assembly 44 is placed inthe closed position.

As illustrated with particular regard to at least FIG. 2C, the sealingdevices 42, such as but not limited to gaskets, may be provided betweenthe cover panel 12 and the housing 18. For example, without limitation,the sealing devices 42, such as but not limited to gaskets, may extendat a first, preferably free end, to an interior surface of the coverpanel 12 and may extend at a second, preferably fixed end, to a portionof the housing 18. Stated another way, the cover panel 12 may extendabove and below where the sealing device 42 meets the cover panel 12.This exemplary arrangement, particularly placement of the sealing device42 against the cover panel 12 instead of the housing 18, may assist withreducing thermal transfer from external, ambient temperatures into theunits 10. In particular, because metal (of which the housing 18 may becomprised of in whole or in part) has a relatively high level of thermalconductivity where glass and/or polymer (of which the cover panel 12 maybe comprised of in whole or in part) has a relatively low level ofthermal conductivity. Thus, relatively cool temperatures of ambient airtransferred to the housing 18 are less likely to be thermally conductedinto relatively warm areas of the closed loop, by way of non-limitingexample. This may reduce “cold spots” within the unit 10 wherecondensation is otherwise likely to form. The cover panel 12,particularly when comprising glass and/or a polymer, may also provide asmoother surface for sealing, thereby providing a better seal,particularly compared to areas of metal where adhesive, welding,griding, or the like may be provided.

In exemplary embodiments, such sealing devices 42 may be liquidimpermeable, but may be vapor permeable. When moved into the openposition, certain components of the electronic display assembly 10, suchas, but not limited to, a rear area of the OL HX 20, the OL/CL HX 22,customer equipment, server racks, storage compartments, combinationsthereof, or the like may be accessible. Furthermore, the access assembly44 may be removed for service and/or replacement. Where more than oneelectronic display layer 14 is utilized, more than one access assembly44 with the same or similar components may be provided and connected tothe housing 18.

Ambient air 56 may extend through one or more open loop airflow pathwayswithin one or more of the OL HX 20, the OL/CL HX 22, combinationsthereof, or the like. Such open loop airflow pathway(s) may bepartially, mostly, substantially, or entirely sealed to separate ambientair 56 from circulating gas 58 traveling through one or more closed loopairflow pathways within one or more of the front air gap 13, the OL/CLHX 22, within the housing 18, combinations thereof, or the like. In thisway, particularly the ambient air 56 may be kept partially, mostly,substantially, or entirely separate from the circulating gas 58.

One or more air circulation devices 48, such as, but not limited to,fans, may be provided within or otherwise in fluid communication withthe OL/CL HX 22, the front air gap 13, and/or other portions of one ormore closed loop airflow pathways within the electronic display assembly10 to cause the flow of circulating gas through some or all of the samewhen the air circulation devices 48 are operated. Such air circulationdevices 48 may be in electronic communication with the same or differentones of the one or more controller(s) 52. The air circulation devices 48may comprise, for example, without limitation, axial fans, centrifugalfans, combinations thereof, or the like. Any number and/or type of aircirculation devices 48 at any one or number of locations within thedisplay assembly 10 may be utilized.

Alternatively, or additionally, the display assemblies 10 may compriseheaters, air conditioning units, filters, thermoelectric modules, heatsinks, combinations thereof, or the like.

The electronic display assembly 10 may comprise one or more sensors 54.The sensors 54 may be provided at one or more locations at theelectronic display assembly 10. Some or all of the sensors 54 may be inelectronic communication with one or more of the same or differentcontroller(s) 52. Such sensors 54 may include, for example, withoutlimitation, location detection devices. Alternatively, or additionally,location data may be pre-programmed or updated manually. The sensor 54may include temperature sensors, which may be located at intake(s),along the one or more open loop airflow pathways, at the exhaust(s),within the closed loop airflow pathways, at the illumination device 16,at power supplies (which may be, for example, without limitation,located at and/or along rear surfaces of the illumination device 16), atFPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) die, at various framework or othercomponents of the electronic display assembly 10, at the one or morecontroller(s) 52, a FPGA die, processor board, combinations thereof, orthe like.

In exemplary embodiments, without limitation, at least one temperatureand/or humidity sensor is located at, or proximate, an upper oruppermost surface of the housing 18 portion defining the closed loopairflow pathway, and at least one other temperature and/or humiditysensor is located at, or proximate, a lower or lowermost surface of theclosed loop airflow pathway the housing 18 portion defining the closedloop airflow pathway. These may be, by way of non-limiting example, thecoldest portions of the unit 10, and thus the most likely to experiencecondensation. Using data from these locations may provide particularlyconservative measurements for condensation control.

Alternatively, or additionally, temperature and/or humidity sensors maybe located at, or proximate, to an intake area, such as to detect thetemperature of ingested ambient air.

These exemplary arrangements, and others, may assist with providingaccurate information for determining internal unit 10 conditions, suchas dewpoint spread for initiating modified operations. However, anynumber and location of temperature and/or humidity sensors may beutilized.

In exemplary embodiments, without limitation, multiple temperaturereadings may be taken at various portions of the assembly 10. Suchvalues may be compared, such as but not limited to with respectiveoffsets, and the lowest (coldest) values may be utilized by thecontroller(s) 52 to control the assembly 10 for purposes of operatingthe unit 10 normally or in the condensation mitigation mode. Offsets maybe established to adjust for perceived inaccuracies, likely temperaturesat other points in the units, localized temperature goals or needs,combinations thereof, or the like.

The sensors 54 may comprise one or more humidity sensors, which may beprovided at the one or more open loop airflow pathways, the one or moreclosed loop pathways, one or more components of the display assembly 10,combinations thereof, or the like. The various sensors 54 may beconfigured to report readings data to the controller(s) 52. The size,shape, and/or location of the sensors 54 shown and/or described aremerely exemplary and are not intended to be limiting. Any type, kind,and/or number of sensors 54 may be provided at any number of locationswithin the display assembly 10 to measure any number or type of datapoints. The humidity sensors, which may be configured to determinerelative humidity, may include temperature sensors and absolute humiditysensors.

While illustrated internal to the display assembly 10, one or more ofthe sensors 54 and/or controller(s) 52 may be external to the displayassembly 10. For example, without limitation, one or more of the sensors54 may be located outside the housing 18. As another example, withoutlimitation, some or all of the data points may be retrieved over one ormore networks, such as the world wide web, from remote weather stations.The display assembly 10 may comprise one or more network communicationdevices 62 configured to retrieve such data, which may be periodicallyor continuously updated. As another example, without limitation, thecontroller(s) 52 may comprise one or more remote monitoring and/orcontrol systems, such as, but not limited to, computers, smartphones,tablets, servers, combinations thereof, or the like, which may be inelectronic communication with one or more controller(s) 52, processors,combinations thereof, or the like by way of one or more networkconnectivity devices. Data from both sensors 54 at the display assembly10 and retrieved from outside sources may be utilized. For example,without limitation, data from outside sources may be retrieved by way ofthe network communication devices 62.

In exemplary embodiments, at least the controller 52 and/or networkcommunication devices 62 are provided at the closed loop airflowpathways, though any location may be utilized.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow chart with exemplary logic for operating theelectronic display assembly 10 to control condensation. The relativehumidity of air inside the display assembly 10 may be measured. Forexample, without limitation, the relative humidity may be determined bysampling data from the sensor(s) 54 configured to measure relativehumidity at the display assembly 10. Alternatively, or additionally, therelative humidity may be determined by sampling data from the sensor(s)54 configured to measure humidity at the display assembly 10 and thesensor(s) 54 may configured to measure temperature at the displayassembly 10, which may be the same or different from one another, andthe relative humidity within the display assembly 10 may be calculatedor determined from such data. Such calculation or determination may bemade at the sensor(s) 54 or the controller(s) 52, such as based on atable or other data sources. Such temperature and/or humidity readingsmay be determined from sensor(s) 54 located at the one or more open loopairflow pathways of the ambient air, the one or more closed loop airflowpathways of the circulating gas, combinations thereof, or the like.Alternatively, or additionally, the temperature, humidity, and/orrelative humidity may be retrieved from one or more network sourcesbased on reported and/or measured conditions proximate a location of theelectronic display assembly 10.

The dewpoint may be calculated from the relative humidity, humidity,and/or certain temperature data. The dewpoint may be calculated at thecontroller(s) 52 and/or sensor(s) 54, such as, for example, withoutlimitation, by using formulas available at:http://bmcnoldy.rsmas.miami.edu/Humidity.html and/orhttps://bmcnoldy.rsmas.miami.edu/mia/. Any formula or algorithm forcalculating dewpoint, known or yet to be developed, may be utilized.Alternatively, or additionally, the dewpoint may be retrieved from oneor more network sources based on reported and/or measured conditionsproximate the location of the electronic display assembly 10. Thetemperature used to calculate the dewpoint may be determined fromsensor(s) 54 located at the one or more open loop airflow pathways ofthe ambient air, the one or more closed loop airflow pathways of thecirculating gas, one or more network sources based on reported, measuredconditions proximate a location of the electronic display assembly 10,combinations thereof, or the like.

The dewpoint spread may be calculated, such as by way of thecontroller(s) 52. The dewpoint spread may be calculated between thecertain temperature data and the dewpoint. The temperature may bedetermined from sensor(s) 54 located at the one or more open loopairflow pathways of the ambient air, the one or more closed loop airflowpathways of the circulating gas, one or more network sources based onreported, measured conditions proximate a location of the electronicdisplay assembly 10, combinations thereof, or the like. In exemplaryembodiments, without limitation, the temperature may be determined asthe lessor of sensor(s) 54 readings from within the electronic displayassembly 10 or retrieved temperature conditions as retrieved from one ormore network sources based on reported and/or measured conditionsproximate the location of the electronic display assembly 10. Data fromnetwork sources shown and/or described herein may be retrieved, forexample, without limitation, by way of the one or more networkcommunication devices 62.

If the dewpoint spread is greater than or equal to X° C., which isvariable but may be 2° C., between 2° C. and 5° C., 4° C., or 5° C. forexample, without limitation, a determination may be made, such as at thecontroller(s) 52, that no condensation is likely present. In such cases,the controller(s) 52 may be configured to operate the electronic displayassembly 10 normally, such as under default operating parameters. If thedewpoint spread is greater than Y° C., which is variable but may be setof 0° C., between 0° C. and 2° C., or 2° C. in exemplary embodiments,and less than X° C., a determination may be made that condensation mayor may not be present. In such cases, the controller(s) 52 may beconfigured to operate the electronic display assembly 10 in a firstmodified operating mode. If the dewpoint spread is less than or equal toY° C., a determination may be made that condensation is likely present.In such cases, the controller(s) 52 may be configured to operate theelectronic display assembly 10 in a second modified operating mode. Thesecond modified operating mode may be the same or different from thefirst modified operating mode.

Other criteria, ranges, and/or thresholds may be utilized. For example,without limitation, other dewpoint spread criteria, ranges, and/orthresholds may be utilized. For example, without limitation, where adewpoint spread equal to or less than X° C. is determined, thecontroller(s) 52 may be configured to command modified operations. Asanother example, without limitation, a half, quarter, or full degreemargin of error may be utilized such that dewpoint spread equal to orless than X+1° C., by way of non-limiting example, may result in thecontroller(s) 52 commanding modified operations. These are just examplesand are not intended to be limiting. Any number of thresholds and/orranges and modified operating modes may be utilized.

The modified operating mode(s) (including, but not limited to, the firstand second modified operating modes) may include commanding certainactions, such as, but not limited to, by way of the controller(s) 52,configured to raise the temperature of the electronic display assembly10, thereby reducing the likelihood of condensation, and/or drive outmoisture in the electronic display assembly 10. In exemplaryembodiments, moisture may be driven out by increasing the temperaturewhich may cause the air within the assembly, such as, but not limitedto, the circulating gas 58 in the one or more closed loop airflowpathways, to expand. Because the closed loop airflow pathways areotherwise fully or partially sealed, this may result in driving out atleast a portion of the circulating gas 58 from the one or more closedloop pathways, which may bring vaporized moisture with it. The air maypermeate through one or more gaskets, which may be liquid tight but notnecessarily vapor tight. In exemplary embodiments, the increased heatand/or airflow, such as from the one or more air circulation devices 48,may cause liquid moisture to vaporize or otherwise be gathered into thecirculating gas which is then driven out of the display assembly 10.

The modified operating mode(s) may comprise commands to increaseillumination at the illumination device 16, such as, but not limited to,driving the lighting elements 38 at an increased power level, reducelocal dimming, and/or reduce dynamic dimming of the illumination device16. This may be accomplished with or without altering operation of theelectronic display layer 14. For example, without limitation, theelectronic display layer 14 may be commanded to show a blank blackscreen despite increased illumination to increase heat without causinglight pollution. As another example, without limitation, certainparameters of the electronic display layer 14, such as, but not limitedto, grayscale may be altered to maintain essentially the same visibleimage characteristics while increasing the illumination. In these ways,the image displayed may appear unaltered to viewers, may conform tocustomer requirements, and/or prevent or reduce light pollution forexample, without limitation. Alternatively, or additionally, limitinglight leakage may maximize heat retention within the assembly 10.

The modified operating mode(s) may, alternatively, or additionally,comprise commands to reduce speed of and/or cease or otherwise minimizeoperation of air circulation devices 48 associated with the open loopairflow pathway(s). This may reduce the amount of relatively coolambient air ingested into the assembly 10, which may cause temperaturesto rise, or at least not lower as quickly. Operations of the aircirculation devices 48 associated with the closed loop airflowpathway(s) may be modified as well. For example, without limitation,commands to increase the speed or and/or operation of such aircirculation devices 48 may be increased, which may cause the circulatinggas 58 to pick up condensation moisture.

In exemplary embodiments, once adequate temperatures, relative humidity,dewpoint, and/or dewpoint spread is reached, the modified operatingmode(s) may be ceased and/or normal operations may be resumed. Inexemplary embodiments, the commands shown and/or described herein may becarried out by the controller(s) 52.

Normal operating mode may be default mode or otherwise preprogramedoperating parameter, conditions, and/or logic. Such normal operatingmode may permit relatively higher or unlimited air circulation device 48speeds, run times, combinations thereof, or the like, particularly, butnot limited to, for those air circulation devices 48 associated with theopen loop airflow pathways.

Stated another way, where the dewpoint spread is less than X and/or Y(or another threshold), a determination may be made that the conditionsare such that condensation is more likely to form. The modifiedoperations, either of the first and/or second variety, may beautomatically initiated by software routine which have the goal ofincreasing the dewpoint spread and/or otherwise mitigate the likelihoodof condensation forming within the assemblies 10. Such modifiedoperations may include adjusting the speed and/or thresholds at whichair circulation devices 48 operate, adjusting illumination device 16operations, combinations thereof, or the like. This may includeincreasing or decreasing fan speed. Such alterations may be made toacceptable fan speed ranges (e.g., 0-75% speed, 25-95% fan speed, etc.),fan speed limits (<25%, over 50 rpm, etc.), and/or operational speedsetpoints (e.g., zero speed, 50% speed, 100% s speed, etc.).

As illustrated with particular regard to at least FIG. 4B, alternativelyor additionally, a single dewpoint spread threshold may be used suchthat the units 10 are configured to operate, such as by way ofprogrammable control of the controller(s) 52, in either a normaloperating mode or a condensation mitigation mode. For example, withoutlimitation, where the dewpoint spread is determined, such as by thecontroller(s) 52), to be greater than “X” the controller(s) 52 mayconfigure the unit 10 to operate normally, but where the dewpoint spreadis determined to be less than “X” the controller(s) 52 may configure theunit 10 to operate in the condensation mitigation mode. When equal to“X”, the controller(s) 52 may configure the unit 10 to operate may beconfigured to either operate in the normal mode or the condensationmitigation mode. The controller(s) 52 may be configured to set thedewpoint spread to a threshold, such as between 1° C. and 10° C. Thecontroller(s) 52 may configure cause the unit 10 to remain in thecondensation mitigation mode unless and until the dewpoint spreadincreases above X by at least a predetermined margin, such as between 1°C. and 5° C. Alternatively, or additionally, the threshold foractivating condensation mitigation mode may be different fromdeactivating condensation mitigation mode. For example, the thresholdfor transitioning from normal operating mode to condensation mitigationmode may be X-A (e.g., 3° C.) while the threshold for transitioning fromcondensation mitigation mode to normal operating mode may be X+B (e.g.,6° C.). An electronic notification may be generated and transmittedwhere the dewpoint spread reaches a predetermined threshold below “X”(e.g., X-C, such as 0° C.). This may reduce or prevent rapid transitionsbetween condensation mitigation mode and normal operating mode.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart with other exemplary logic for operatingthe electronic display assembly 10 to minimize, reduce, control and/oreliminate condensation. The steps shown and/or described with respect toFIG. 5 may be the same or similar to those shown and/or described withrespect to FIG. 4 except as otherwise specified herein. For example,without limitation, if a determination is made that condensation may ormay not be present or that condensation is likely present, adetermination may be made, such as at the controller(s) 52, whethercertain safety thresholds are met and/or exceeded. If such safetythresholds are met and/or exceeded, the controller(s) 52 may command theelectronic display assembly 10 to operate normally (i.e., withoutmodified operations configured to minimize, reduce, control, and/oreliminate condensation). If some or all of the safety thresholds are notmet and/or exceeded, the controller(s) 52 may command the electronicdisplay assembly 10 to initiate modified operations, which may be thesame, or different from the modified operations shown and/or describedwith respect to FIG. 4 .

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary interface 64. The interface 64 may beprovided at the controller(s) 52 and/or one or more remote electronicdevices. The interface 64 may be configured to accept certain user inputregarding safety thresholds, modified operations, normal operations, andother operations of the assembly 10. For example, without limitation,such criteria may be selected at one or more remote electronic devices,such as, but not limited to, personal computers, server computers,smartphones, tablets, combinations thereof, or the like and transmittedto the assemblies 10 by way of the network communication devices 62.

In exemplary embodiments, the controller(s) 52 may be configured tofirst temporarily initiate normal operations upon determination that thesafety thresholds are met and/or exceeded. This may cause aircirculation devices 48, such as those associated with the open loopairflow pathways, to partially or fully operate at higher levels (e.g.,speed, runtimes, etc.), ingesting relatively more ambient air in attemptto cool the assembly 10 for a period of time. Normal operations may beresumed for a period of time, such as, but not limited to, 120 seconds,though the amount of time may be variable and may be programmed and/oraltered, such as at value 63. If after the period of time safetythresholds are no longer met and/or exceeded, modified operations may beresumed. If the safety thresholds are still met and/or exceeded afterthe period of time, then the assemblies 10 may be configured to continuenormal operations for at least a period of time, which may be fixed orindefinite. The period of time may be programmed at the time parameterof the interface 64, for example, without limitation. The safetythresholds may be set, for example, without limitation, at the one ormore safety parameters 68 of the interface 64. In exemplary embodiments,only a single temporary initiation of normal operations may be permittedbefore a longer term or fixed return to normal operations is commanded,such as by the controller(s) 52.

The source for dewpoint calculations may be set at a dewpoint sourceparameter 70 of the interface 64. For example, without limitation, thesource may be selected between an internal relative humidity sensor,remote sources, combinations thereof, or the like.

Any of the variables, parameters, conditions, combinations thereof, orthe like may be pre-programmed and/or programmed at the same ordifferent interfaces 64, such as, but not limited to, at thecontroller(s) 52 and/or by remote devices and the network communicationdevices 62.

FIG. 6B illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the interface 64.The interface may include various offset values 71. Offset values 71 maybe values added to measured or determined values, such as at thecontroller(s) 52, for comparison against a respective threshold. Thesemay be set to reflect errors in measurement, differences from perceivedvalues elsewhere, combinations thereof, or the like. A delay value 73may be set which delays, such as by way of the controller(s) 52,implementation of condensation mitigation mode, such as for a specifiednumber of seconds, minutes, combinations thereof, or the like. This mayallow the assembly 10 some time to adjust to relatively minor variationswithout changing operating modes, eliminate erroneous readings,combinations thereof, or the like. A hysteresis value 75 may beestablished which acts as a margin which the dewpoint spread must clearbefore the controller(s) 52 switch operating modes. This may preventrapid or frequent changing between operating modes. A dewpoint spreadminimum value 75 may be abolished. This may be dewpoint spread value atwhich the controller(s) 52 is configured to automatically generateand/or transmit an electronic notification, which may indicateconditions likely to result in condensation. All of the values shownand/or described herein may be set by software program, may be variable,and/or may be locally and/or remotely updated from time to time, such asby receipt of one or more authenticated commands.

As further illustrated in FIG. 7A, in exemplary embodiments, thecontroller(s) 52 may be configured to initiate modified or normaloperations based upon a dewpoint spread threshold parameter 74 and/or abuffer 72, one or both of which may be programmable at the interface 64.The dewpoint spread threshold parameter 74 and/or buffer 72 may beutilized to determine a dewpoint spread, such as is shown and/ordescribed herein. The controller(s) 52 may be configured to command theassembly 10 to utilize modified operations where the determined dewpointspread meets the dewpoint spread threshold parameter 74 and/or exceedsthe dewpoint spread threshold parameter 74 by at least, or more than,the buffer 72.

The controller(s) 52 may be configured to command the assembly 10 tocontinue utilizing modified operations until such a time as thedetermined dewpoint spread falls below the dewpoint spread thresholdparameter 74, such as by more than the buffer 72. The controller(s) 52may be configured to command the assembly 10 to utilize normaloperations where the determined dewpoint spread does not meet thedewpoint spread threshold parameter 74 and/or is below the dewpointspread threshold parameter 74 by at least the buffer 72. Thecontroller(s) 52 may be configured to command the assembly 10 tocontinue utilizing normal operations until such as time as thedetermined dewpoint spread exceeds the dewpoint spread thresholdparameter 74 by at least the buffer 72. In this way, a programmablebuffer may be provided in either direction of temperature change againstthe programmable threshold. However, the safety thresholds may still beconsidered and prioritized such that the assembly 10 defaults to normaloperations where one or more of the safety thresholds are met and/orexceeded.

Alternatively, or additionally, the dewpoint spread set buffer 72 maycomprise the dewpoint spread value at which the controller(s) 52 willcause the assembly 10 to move into condensation mitigation mode. Statedanother way, the dewpoint spread set buffer 72 may be the value J, whichwhen dropped below may initiate condensation control measures. Thedewpoint spread clear buffer 74 may comprise the dewpoint spread valueat which the controller(s) 52 will cause the assembly 10 to return tonormal operating mode. Stated another way, the dewpoint spread clearbuffer 74 may be the value K, which when raised above may return theunit 10 to normal operations. In this fashion, the value which activatesand deactivates condensation mitigation mode may be different.

As further illustrated in FIG. 7B, in exemplary embodiments, an attemptto bring the assembly 10 back below or otherwise within the safetythresholds may be provided, such as by way of the programmable timeparameter. The controller(s) 52 may be configured to temporarily operatethe assembly 10 in normal operations for the time parameter. If, afterthe time parameter is reached, and one or more of the safety thresholdsare still exceeded or readings are otherwise outside the safetythresholds, then the controller(s) 52 may move the assembly 10 to normaloperations until such as time as the threshold parameters 74 areexceeded by at least the buffer 72 and readings are within the safetythresholds. If, after the time parameter is reached, readings are withinthe safety thresholds, then the controller(s) 52 may resume modifiedoperations until such a time as the threshold parameters 74 are exceededby at least the buffer 72 or readings are outside the safety thresholds.This may give the assembly 10 a chance to recover from slippedoperations and/or essentially disregard a potentially erroneous and/oroutlier reading. This attempt may be only completed one time beforecommanding normal operations. For example, only a single loop of thecommand logic may be permitted.

The safety thresholds may include, for example, without limitation,temperatures above or below certain thresholds, within certain ranges,combinations thereof, or the like, such as measured by at least certainof the sensors 54. In exemplary embodiments, without limitation, thesafety thresholds may include some or all of the following: temperatureas measured by one or more sensors 54 within or adjacent to the closedloop airflow pathways being below 30° C., temperature as measured by oneor more sensors 54 at or in proximity to the illumination device 16below 40° C., PS (Power Supply) Max is below 50° C., FPGA is below 70°C., controller(s) 52 is/are below 50° C., sensor(s) 52 measuringhumidity is/are below 35° C., combinations thereof, or the like. Othercriteria and/or thresholds may be utilized, such as, but not limited to,other temperatures from other locations and/or at different thresholds.The safety thresholds, for example, without limitation, may be used tomore accurately determine internal temperature of the display assembly10 and thus may provide a more accurate determination of the likelihoodthat condensation is present and thus whether modified operations shouldbe undertaken. The safety thresholds in exemplary embodiments may bevariable and programmable, such as, but not limited to, at the one ormore safety parameters 68 of the interface 64. The safety parameters 68,dewpoint source parameter 70, dewpoint spread threshold parameter 74,buffer 72, and/or time parameter shown in FIG. 6 represent exemplaryoperating parameters and are provided for example, without limitation.

In exemplary embodiments, modified operations may be provided regularly,such as during transitions from nighttime to daylight hours, followingthe end of power efficiency modes, during cold temperatures,combinations thereof, or the like. In other exemplary embodiments,modified operations may be dependent on ambient conditions and/orreadings from the sensors 54. For example, without limitation, modifiedoperating operations configured to increase the internal temperature ofthe electronic display assembly 10, such as, but not limited to,increasing power to illumination device 16, reducing speed of aircirculation devices 48, during or following relatively cool nighttimehours and/or days or times with relatively cool ambient temperatures,and modified operations configured to drive out moisture, such as, butnot limited to, increased speed of air circulation devices 48, duringrelatively warm daytime hours and/or days or times with relatively warmambient temperatures.

Modified operations may include changing operational speed of aircirculation devices 48 of the unit 10. In exemplary embodiments, withoutlimitation, modified operations may include decreasing operational speedof air circulation devices 48 associated with open loop airflow pathwaysand/or ambient air, such as down to 20% (of maximum normal operationspeed) or zero, though any speed, speed reduction, speed range, or thelike may be utilized. In this fashion, flow of typically relativelycooler ambient air may be decreased, which tends to warm the units 10.Alternatively, or additionally, modified operations may includeincreasing operational speed of air circulation devices 48 associatedwith closed loop airflow pathways or areas and/or circulating gas, suchas up to 80% or 100% (of maximum normal operation speed), though anyspeed, speed reduction, speed range, or the like may be utilized. Thismay assist with driving moisture out of closed areas, such as any closedloop airflow pathways, sealed, or semi-sealed areas, homogenizinginternal air temperatures, and/or promoting efficient thermal transfer,by way of non-limiting example.

In other exemplary embodiments, the temperature, humidity, relativehumidity, dew point spread, or other data may be derived from predictedweather data, such as based on historical patterns, from internet-basedsources, combinations thereof, or the like. In such cases, certainmodified operating modes may be scheduled and/or initiated aspreventative measures based on predicted data.

The various measures shown and/or described herein, including, but notlimited to, humidity measures, temperature measures, combinationsthereof, or the like, may be determined by way of multiple measurementsfrom the same or different sensors 54, internet-based sources or otherremote measures or user input, combinations thereof, or the like, andthe utilized measures may be an average, highest, lowest, mean, medianvalue, combinations thereof, or the like.

In exemplary embodiments, some or all air circulation devices 48 may bekept at a minimum speed, such as regardless of normal or modifiedoperations, to provide relatively uniform temperature within theelectronic display assembly 10, consistent readings at sensors 52,combinations thereof, or the like. In exemplary embodiments, withoutlimitation, this minimum speed may be 12% of maximum possible normaloperating speed.

As illustrated with particular regard to at least FIG. 7C, the safetyparameters analysis is optional. This applies to all embodiments shownand/or described herein.

FIG. 8 provides other exemplary logic for operating the display assembly10. It may be desirable to operate the air circulating devices 48 withinthe display assembly 10 to control temperatures within the displayassembly 10 and/or provide condensation control. In exemplaryembodiments, each of the air circulating devices 48 may comprise one ormore fans, such as provided in banks or sets. Each of the aircirculating devices 48 may be associated with one or more of the sensors54. Each of the sensors 54 may be configured to measure temperature ofproximate air.

Zones may be virtually defined within the display assemblies 10, such asat the controller(s) 52. Each zone may be associated with one or more ofthe air circulating devices 48 and/or one or more of the sensors 54. Forexample, without limitation, one zone may comprise front air gap 13,another zone may include the OL HX 20, another zone may include theOL/CL HX 22, combinations thereof, or the like. Within the front air gap13, a first zone may be defined between the electronic display layer 14and the cover panel 12, which may also be referred to as the LCD cavity,and a second zone may be defined between the electronic display layer 14and the illumination device 16, which may also be referred to as the LEDcavity. Any number of zones may be defined within the display assemblies10.

Operational ranges for the air circulating devices 48 may beestablished, such as at the controller(s) 52. Each of the operationalranges may be associated with one or more of the air circulating devices48. Desired operating ranges may be established for the sensors 54, suchas at the controller(s) 52. Each of the desired operating ranges may beassociated with one or more of the sensors 54. Operational ranges forthe air circulating devices 48 and/or desired operating ranges for thesensors 54 may be specific to the date, time, ambient conditions,combinations thereof, or the like, and may be programmed at, or storedat, the controller(s) 52. Operational ranges for the air circulationdevices 48 and/or desired operating ranges for the sensors may bespecific to the zone, air circulation device 48, and/or sensor 54 or forthe whole display assembly 10. For example, without limitation,operational ranges for the air circulating devices 48 and/or desiredoperating ranges for the sensors 54 may be specific to day time or nighttime operations. Such day time and/or night time operations may bedetermined based on a location of the display assembly 10 and/or time ofyear (e.g., reflecting sunrise and/or sunset times based on location anddate). In exemplary embodiments, without limitation, operational rangesfor the air circulating devices 48 associated with the closed loopairflow pathway(s) and/or circulating gas 58 may be set to 100% fanspeed during daytime hours and 15-100% during nighttime hours, andoperational ranges for the air circulating devices 48 associated withthe open loop airflow pathway(s) and/or ambient air 56 may be 0-100% atall times.

Readings from the sensors 54 may be taken, such as continuously,periodically, sporadically, combinations thereof, or the like. Operation(e.g., speed, number of active fans, volumetric flow rate, powersupplied, etc.) of some or all of the air circulation devices 48 may becontrolled by a highest of readings from the sensors 54 at a given timeor period of time relative to the associated desired operating range forthe various sensors 54. For example, without limitation, the zone and/orsensor 54 having a highest reading relative to the maximum limit of thedesired operating range associated with each zone or sensor 54 may beused by the controller(s) 52 to set the operating conditions of the aircirculating devices 48 with the associated operational range. Suchsensor 54 and/or zone may be controlling until subsequent readingsindicate return to the desired operating range. Alternatively, oradditionally, such sensor 54 and/or zone may be controlling untilanother sensor 54 and/or zone becomes highest and/or the furthersoutside of the associated desired operating range. This may enhancethermal management by ensuring that the most problematic zone or sensor54 reading is driving operations.

The controller(s) 52 may be configured to ramp speed of the aircirculating device(s) 48 up or down on a linear basis, inverselyproportional ratio, by some multiple or other ratio relative to how farthe temperature is from the desired operating range, combinationsthereof, or the like. Such adjustments may be made incrementally andreadings retaken and adjustments made accordingly.

Such control may be performed on a zone-by-zone basis or for the entiredisplay assembly 10. For example, without limitation, air circulatingdevices 48 within a given zone and/or associate sensor(s) 54 may beadjusted individually based on such readings, or the air circulationdevices 48 for the entire assembly 10 may be adjusted based on suchreadings, even if from a single zone and/or sensor 54.

Where a maximum operating temperature is reached or exceeded at one ormore of the sensors 54, operations of the air circulation devices 48 maybe adjusted up to a maximum operational level (e.g., speed, number ofactive fans, volumetric flow rate, power supplied, etc.) within theoperational ranges. If readings from the sensors 52 indicate that themaximum operating temperature subsequently remains reached or exceeded,power to the illumination device 16, such as a backlight, may be reduceduntil temperatures fall below the maximum operating temperatures. Suchreduction may be made in an inversely proportional fashion to how farthe temperature has exceeded the maximum operating temperature. Suchreduction may be made incrementally and adjustments made accordingly.

Sensor readings may be continuously or periodically retaken andoperations adjusted accordingly.

Temperature readings from the sensors 54 may be communicated to thecontroller(s) 52 which may be configured to make operationaldeterminations and adjustments for said air circulation devices 48 basedon said readings. Alternatively, or additionally, such readings may betransmitted, such as by the network communication devices 62, to one ormore remote controller(s) 52 located remote from the display assembly10. Updates to the operational ranges for the air circulating devices 48and/or desired operating ranges for the sensors 54 may be made from timeto time, such as by way of instructions communicated to thecontroller(s) 52 through the network communication device 62 from one ormore remote devices.

The control logic shown and/or described with respect to the severalfigures and accompanying description provided herein may be usedtogether or separately. For example, without limitation, the controllogic shown and/or described with regard to FIG. 8 may be used with thecondensation control logic of FIGS. 4-7B or separately therefrom.

While certain measures are shown and/or described herein in terms ofdegrees Celsius, equivalent measures in degrees Fahrenheit, Kelvin, orother measurement standards may be utilized.

The ambient air 56 within the open loop airflow pathway(s) may beentirely or substantially prevented from mixing with the circulating gas58 of the closed loop airflow pathway(s). For example, withoutlimitation, the display assembly 10 may be configured to comply withvarious ingress protection standards, such as, but not limited to, IP65, IP 66, IP 67, IP 68, combinations thereof, or the like, at leastwith regard to the closed loop airflow pathway(s) or other particularareas of the assembly 10. Ambient air 56 may comprise air ingested fromthe surrounding environment and may or may not be filtered. Thecirculating gas 58 may comprise air kept fully or partially separatefrom the ambient air 56 in exemplary embodiments. For example, thecirculating gas 58 may include ambient air 56 trapped when the assembly10 is formed or otherwise periodically accessed (e.g., for servicing).Alternatively, or additionally, the circulating gas 58 may comprisefiltered or purified air.

Modified operations and/or condensation mitigation mode, which may beone and the same, may include establishing different temperature levelsand/or offsets at which the fans or other thermal management componentsare activated and/or are operated. For example, without limitation, thefans or other thermal management components may be configured to operaterelative to various temperature readings. The activation/deactivationpoints, operational speed and/or levels, combinations thereof, or thelike of such fans or other thermal management components may be variedbetween normal operating mode and modified operations and/orcondensation mitigation mode. In exemplary embodiment, withoutlimitation, fan speed or other operational characteristics of fans orother thermal management components may be set relative to temperature(e.g., at X temperature, Y fan speed, at Z temperature, A fan speed,etc.). Such relationship may be established by table, linearrelationship, exponentiation relationship, logarithmic relationship,algorithmic relationship, combinations thereof, or the like. Certainpreferred operating parameters, thresholds, or the like are disclosedherein which result in advantageous operation but are not necessarilyintended to be limiting.

Any embodiment of the present invention may include any of the featuresof the other embodiments of the present invention. The exemplaryembodiments herein disclosed are not intended to be exhaustive or tounnecessarily limit the scope of the invention. The exemplaryembodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principlesof the present invention so that others skilled in the art may practicethe invention. Having shown and described exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention, those skilled in the art will realize that manyvariations and modifications may be made to the described invention.Many of those variations and modifications will provide the same resultand fall within the spirit of the claimed invention. It is theintention, therefore, to limit the invention only as indicated by thescope of the claims.

Certain operations described herein, may be performed by one or moreelectronic devices. Each electronic device may comprise one or moreprocessors, electronic storage devices, executable softwareinstructions, and the like, configured to perform the operationsdescribed herein. The electronic devices may be general purposecomputers or specialized computing devices. The electronic devices maycomprise personal computers, smartphones, tablets, databases, servers,or the like. The electronic connections and transmissions describedherein may be accomplished by wired or wireless means. The computerizedhardware, software, components, systems, steps, methods, and/orprocesses described herein may serve to improve the speed of thecomputerized hardware, software, systems, steps, methods, and/orprocesses described herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display assembly with condensation controlcomprising: a housing; an electronic display located within the housing;an airflow pathway extending within the housing; one or more sensors, atleast some of which are located along said airflow pathway; and acontroller in electronic communication with said one or more sensors andcomprising software instructions stored at one or more electronicstorage devices, which when executed, configure one or more processorsto: determine a dewpoint temperature for air at the display assembly;determine an internal temperature for the display assembly based, atleast in part, on data received from said one or more sensors; calculatea dewpoint spread between said dewpoint temperature and said internaltemperature; and where said dewpoint spread is less than a predeterminedthreshold, initiate modified operations.
 2. The display assembly ofclaim 1 further comprising: one or more fans located along said airflowpathway, wherein said modified operations comprise changing an operatingspeed for said one or more fans.
 3. The display assembly of claim 2wherein: said modified operations comprise reducing the operating speedfor said one or more fans.
 4. The display assembly of claim 3 wherein:said modified operations comprise setting the operating speed for saidone or more fans to zero.
 5. The display assembly of claim 2 furthercomprising: an intake and an exhaust located at said housing fluidlyconnected to an ambient environment, wherein said airflow pathwaycomprises an open loop airflow pathway extending between said intake andsaid exhaust for ambient air; at least one closed airflow area; and oneor more additional fans located within the closed airflow area, whereinsaid modified operations comprise modifying an operating speed for saidone or more additional fans.
 6. The display assembly of claim 5 wherein:said modified operations comprise reducing the operating speed for saidone or more fans; and said modified operations comprise increasing theoperating speed for said one or more additional fans.
 7. The displayassembly of claim 1 wherein: said electronic display comprises one moreillumination devices; and said modified operations comprise increasingpower supplied to the one more illumination devices.
 8. The displayassembly of claim 7 wherein: said electronic display comprises a liquidcrystal display; and the one more illumination devices comprise lightemitting diodes providing direct backlighting to the electronic display.9. The display assembly of claim 1 further comprising: an additionalairflow pathway located within the housing and separated from theairflow pathway, wherein said airflow pathway is fluidly connected to anambient environment, wherein at least some of the one or more sensorsare located along the additional airflow pathway, and wherein the datareceived from said one or more sensors to determine the internaltemperature for the display assembly is received from the at least someof the one or more sensors are located along the additional airflowpathway.
 10. The display assembly of claim 9 wherein: wherein the datareceived from the at least some of the one or more sensors located alongthe additional airflow pathway is used to determine the dewpointtemperature.
 11. The display assembly of claim 1 further comprising:additional software instructions stored at said one or more electronicstorage devices, which when executed, configure said one or moreprocessors to: if a predetermined maximum internal temperature thresholdis met or exceeded, reduce a power supplied to a backlight for theelectronic display.
 12. The display assembly of claim 1 furthercomprising: a closed loop airflow area for circulating gas within saidhousing; a cover layer located forward of the electronic display; andone or more gaskets provided to, at least in part, separate said closedloop airflow area from said airflow pathway and an ambient environment,wherein said one or more gaskets extend from an interior surface of thecover layer to a portion of the housing.
 13. The display assembly ofclaim 12 wherein: the closed loop airflow area comprises a loop whichextends forward of the electronic display behind the cover layer andbehind a rear surface of the electronic display.
 14. The displayassembly of claim 1 wherein: said one or more sensors comprisestemperature sensors located internal to the housing; the controller isconfigured to utilize data from a first one of said one or more sensorsto determine the dewpoint temperature; and the controller is configuredto utilize data from a lowest reporting one of said one or more sensorsto determine the internal temperature.
 15. The display assembly of claim1 wherein: at least one of the one or more sensors comprises a humiditysensor located internal to the housing; and the controller is configuredto receive data from said humidity sensor to determine the dewpointtemperature.
 16. The display assembly of claim 1 wherein: the controlleris configured to utilize data from an internet-based weather reportingservice to determine the dewpoint temperature.
 17. The display assemblyof claim 1 wherein: said predetermined threshold is at least 2 degreesCelsius.
 18. The display assembly of claim 1 wherein: the controller isconfigured to return the display assembly to normal operating conditionswhere the dewpoint spread is greater than a second predeterminedthreshold, which is greater than the predetermined threshold.
 19. Amethod for operating a display assembly to provide condensation control,said method comprising: determining a local dewpoint temperature;determining an internal temperature for the display assembly based, atleast in part, on data received from one or more internal sensors of thedisplay assembly; calculating, at a controller of the display assembly,a dewpoint spread between said local dewpoint temperature and saidinternal temperature; and determining that said dewpoint spread is lessthan a predetermined threshold and initiating modified operationscomprising at least one of: reducing operating speed of a first fanalong a first airflow pathway open to an ambient environment, increasingoperating speed of a second fan located along a second airflow pathwayextending entirely within the display assembly, where the second airflowpathway is separated from the ambient environment and the first airflowpathway, and increasing a power level supplied to a backlight for anelectronic display of the display assembly.
 20. A method for operating adisplay assembly to provide condensation control, said methodcomprising: determining, at a controller for the display assembly, alocalized dewpoint temperature for internal air based, at least in part,on data received from at least one of multiple internal temperaturesensors of the display assembly; determining, at the controller, aninternal air temperature for the display assembly based, at least inpart, on data received from at least a same or different one of themultiple internal temperature sensors of the display assembly;calculating, at the controller of the display assembly, a dewpointspread between said localized dewpoint temperature for the internal airand said internal temperature using a multi-variable algorithm; anddetermining that said dewpoint spread is less than a predeterminedthreshold, wherein the predetermined threshold is a user-set variablestandard between 2° C. and 7° C., and initiating modified operationscomprising reducing an operating speed for one or more fans locatedalong an internal airflow pathway of the display assembly connected withan ambient environment and increasing an operating speed for one or morefans located along an additional internal airflow pathway of the displayassembly separated from the ambient environment and the airflow pathway.